The 49ers are where the Raiders were three years ago – drastically undermanned, in the midst of unrelenting losing, and with Fort Knox-like money under the salary cap. Obviously, the 10-2 Raiders have made the right moves in hiring coach Jack Del Rio, drafting players like Derek Carr and Amari Cooper, and acquiring players like …

In last week’s overtime win at New Orleans, Ward injured the same foot that he had surgery on in March to repair a Jones fracture. It’s not known if his current injury is connected to his previous foot issue, which sidelined him for the offseason program. …

It wasn’t all bad: Lynch took note of Borland’s team-high eight tackles and solid performance in the run game. But as he watched Borland struggle to keep up with Denver’s skill-position players zipping through his area, Lynch thought his average speed could render him a bit one-dimensional. …

The 49ers aren’t expected to have the services of Tramaine Brock or first-round pick Jimmie Ward when they visit the Giants and Eli Manning on Sunday. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Ward is likely out after he sustained an injury Sunday to his right foot, which had surgery on in March to repair a Jones fracture. Brock (hamstring) will also be sidelined, a source said Wednesday. …

In order to play this season, Bowman must begin practicing Tuesday. Fangio said the 49ers could exercise caution and allow Bowman to have 10 more months to recover before he plays in a regular-season game. …

Brock, who has missed six games this season with turf toe, was among two prominent cornerbacks that didn’t practice today. Rookie Jimmie Ward was sidelined with a foot injury and his status for Sunday is unknown. Ward had surgery on his right foot in March that kept him off the field until training camp. It’s not known what foot kept Ward sidelined today. …

The 49ers wide receiver, of course, sounded dissatisfied with the role he played in a 27-24 overtime win at New Orleans on Sunday. When asked about his game-saving 51-yard, fourth-down, fourth-quarter catch, Crabtree, oddly, offered this: “Third down. I’m a third-down receiver. I mean, I’m like the third option. So I come in and I do my job.” …

A day after he wasn’t charged following his arrest on suspicion of felony domestic violence more than two months ago, 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald said Tuesday he and his fiancée remain together. …

Smith had been able to work out at the team facility during his nine-game suspension, but hasn’t practiced with the team since late August. In training camp, he declared he was in the best shape of his career. During his suspension, he told defensive coordinator Vic Fangio he the “most fit guy” on the team. …

NEW ORLEANS – There is a silver lining to the toe injury that sidelined All-Po inside linebacker Patrick Willis for his third straight game Sunday: It’s made it abundantly clear the 49ers got a third-round steal when they selected Chris Borland in May. …